Crash and separate body find leads to M5 closures

Two sections of the M5 were forced to shut in the West Midlands for emergency incidents, including the discovery of a body.

West Midlands Police said the body was found just after 10:00 BST, with the motorway closed between junction three for Quinton in Birmingham, and junction two for Oldbury.

Police later confirmed the death was not being treated as suspicious and the force was preparing a file for the coroner.

A separate crash nearby involving two motorbikes and a car also saw the northbound carriageway close between junction one in West Bromwich and the M6 link. The M5 fully reopened just before 16:00 BST.

Long delays have been reported, with some drivers saying they were stuck for up to three hours.

Traffic caught up within the closure for the crash has been turned around and released via the rear of the queue.

In regards to the body, West Midlands Ambulance Service said crews were called to the scene, near Hurst Green, Dudley, shortly after 10:00 BST.

"Sadly, it quickly became clear the patient could not be saved and they were confirmed dead at the scene," a spokesperson said.

The crash involving two motorcyclists was reported just minutes earlier at 09:55 BST.

The ambulance service said both men needed treatment for serious injuries.

One was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham and the other to Midlands Metropolitan University Hospital.

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